GARCIA DE LA HUERTA

garcia de la huerta, vicente antonio (1734-1787), spanish dramatist, was born at zafra on the 9th of march 1734, and was educated at salamanca. at madrid he soon attracted attention by his literary arrogance and handsome person; and at an early age became chief of the national library, a post from which he was dismissed owing to the intrigues of his numerous enemies. the publication of his unsatisfactory collection of spanish plays entitled _theatro hespanol_ (1785-1786) exposed him to severe censures, which appear to have affected his reason. he died at madrid on the 12th of march 1787, without carrying into effect his avowed intention of reviving the national drama. his _agamemnon vengado_ derives from sophocles, his _jaire_ is translated from voltaire, and even his once famous _raquel_, though spanish in subject, is classic in form.